What are the consequences of continuous braking on long downhill slopes?
3 Answers
It will cause the brake temperature to rise, leading to a sharp decline in braking effectiveness. Solutions are as follows: 1. Engine braking refers to lifting the accelerator pedal without depressing the clutch, utilizing the compression resistance generated by the engine's compression stroke to create braking force on the drive wheels through internal friction and intake/exhaust resistance. 2. Driving in a lower gear or keeping the gear engaged without supplying fuel means the engine no longer provides traction to the vehicle. Instead, the rotation of the wheels drives the transmission system, and the idling engine generates a counteracting resistance force on the vehicle. The higher the gear, the less effect the engine has on the vehicle, and vice versa.
When going downhill for a long time, I kept stepping on the brakes, and once the brakes completely failed, almost causing a serious accident. During the repair, the mechanic said continuous braking would overheat the brake pads and discs, transferring high temperatures to the brake fluid, causing it to boil and form bubbles, leading to vapor lock. At this point, the brake pedal becomes soft, braking power is lost, and speed becomes uncontrollable, making it easy to skid or crash. Especially for older SUVs like mine, which are heavier, heat builds up faster, and the braking system is more prone to failure. Now, I’ve learned to downshift early and use engine braking to control speed, avoiding constant brake use. Over time, this also wears out brake components, increasing repair costs, so I now check the braking system more frequently.
As a novice driver, I encountered a terrifying situation during a mountain trip when I relied solely on my foot to brake during a long downhill stretch. Midway, I felt the brakes weren't responding, and my heart nearly jumped out of my throat. A professional diagnosis later revealed that continuous use had caused overheating, vaporizing the brake fluid and impairing its effectiveness. This taught me a valuable lesson: when descending, it's crucial to combine braking with shifting to lower gears to share the load. Automatic transmission vehicles can use the L gear, while manual transmissions should shift to 2nd gear. Excessive heat can also cause tires to expand, increasing the risk of a blowout. For safety, I now check maps in advance to plan routes with steep descents and control my speed. After developing these good habits, driving has become smoother, almost as effortless as playing a video game.
